Hanoi, Vietnam, Jan. 28 -- European Council President Antonio Costa

The visit comes as Viet Nam-EU relations continue to deepen since the two sides established diplomatic ties on November 28, 1990. It marks the second official visit to Viet Nam by the top EC leader, following the 2012 visit by then EC President Herman Van Rompuy.

Costa is also among the first senior international leaders to visit Viet Nam after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier noted that the EU highly values Viet Nam's decision to host the EC President shortly after the Congress, describing bilateral relations as having reached their most comprehensive and substantive st...